Letters to the editor

Sir, - Today I was walking in Beecraigs Country Park and I was shocked and disappointed that most of the trees are getting cut down all in one go.

It won’t really be a country park if it is complete devastation!

As a nine year old boy I think it is really disappointing that West Lothian Council/adults are doing this.

What is the point of cutting down all the trees in this way and destroying the park?

Well, as far as I can see, there is none so why do it?

This is why it upset me today as I saw three deer but soon there will be no wildlife because their habitat is getting destroyed.

I enjoy it there and I think a lot of other people do as well, exploring, hiding in dark places, playing with friends, building things and its really fun jumping over streams.

Taking the trees down is stopping me from hiding.

I won’t be able to see wildlife and the land will just look ugly you won’t be to walk through it.

It is too dangerous now to walk in lots of places where all the trees have been cut down.

It destroys the point of Beecraigs Country Park.

I don’t think the Council should do this just for quick money!

What is going to be left for my generation?

You will be able to see everybody and it will be really noisy.

How can we stop the park being called Beecraigs Country Tree Stump.

Finlay Felton Lewis

Age 9

Via email

Licensing is not the answer

Sir, – As a responsible dog owner I have my dog chipped and clean up any toilet but, re the letter in last week’s Journal and Gazette, I can’t, for the life of me, see how chipping a dog or having to get a license will stop people being bitten or attacked.

Surely the only way to help with this problem is to keep all dogs on the lead in public places.

This may also help a bit towards the dog fouling problem as if the dog is on the end of your lead you can hardly say it is not yours.

I know the money from licenses could be used to help police dog licensing or make sure a dog is chipped but there is no doubt some people will still not do either. –Yours etc.,

Name and address

supplied

Anon

Finding work is difficult

Sir, – We know that disabled people are much less likely to be in employment than the rest of the population.

The latest research from Leonard Cheshire Disability is therefore not surprising.

This is why we launched our new programme ‘‘Change100’’ which matches talented disabled students with some of the UK’s leading companies.

Applications are now open for disabled students from universities across the UK to apply for our 2015 programme.

If you are studying or have just graduated visit: www.leonardcheshire.org/change100 to find out more. The deadline for applications is January 30. – Yours etc.,

Peter Jenkins

Managing Director, external affairs at Leonard Cheshire Disability

Their childhood should be happy

Sir, – We’re asking people across Scotland to make a New Year’s resolution that gives a commitment to help ensure every child in Scotland enjoys a safe and secure childhood.

‘Join the Resolution’ is our response to the wishes from children and young people we work with. To mark our 130th anniversary we asked them what would make Scotland a better place to live.

Their answers revealed that many of the children wanted simple things others take for granted, such as a happy and loving home, enough food and to be free from the fear of violence.

Now we’re inviting people to make a promise that will help a child in 2015.

As more and more people Join the Resolution we can have confidence that the help will be there. – Yours etc.,